Introduction: In February of this past year, we introduced you to Molix, an Italian lure manufacturer based right in Molinella, Italy - just outside of Bologna, and about 2 hours away from Venice. We missed them at ICAST 2009, but were sure to stop by their booth this year and when we did, we were greeted by a very enthusiastic Mike Iaconelli.

But other than the bladed baits Mike showed us in the video above, Molix has three other brand new products that look quite interesting. First up is a hybrid bait with the hard head and diving bill of a shallow crank, but the soft body and concealed hooks of a frog! The SuperNato is sure to be an instant seller but won’t be available until Spring 2011 and is expected to sell for somewhere around $15. Final pricing is yet to be determined.

Molix introduces their new hybrid bait, the SuperNato... part crankbait ...

... part frog!

The second item that caught our eye is a crankbait designed by an individual who shall remain nameless but who is responsible for designing tuning parts for a certain, very famous Italian car manufacturer - Ferrari. Looking at its lines, it’s not difficult to see that Molix’s new, Vario crank is racing car inspired. It is designed to take advantage of water resistance and currents in order to deliver its unique action and is an intriguing little crank to say the least. Estimated retail price of this lure is $19.99 and it too is expected to be ready sometime in the Spring of 2011.

The Vario was designed by a Ferrari parts designer ...

... will it fire up the fish as well?

The last item we have to show has no official name of yet and is in its final prototyping stages. Molix
is working on a new
jig head design with
a hinged hook
integrated to the
base of the
jighead to increase hook up ratios. They expect to offer this new head design in the form of a fully skirted jig and are deciding upon whether or not to sell the jigheads bare.

Molix is fast at work on a new jighead ...

... featuring a hinged hook.

Stefano Sammarchi and Paolo Vannini of Molix Italy.

Conclusion: Molix is still working on their official entry to the North American market, but they are right on the cusp and judging by their new baits, when they do officially land, they’re going to make quite the splash... andiamo!